Used Mitsubishi – What 13 Inspections Found
Thirteen Mitsubishis in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index split cleanly in two. The newer Outlanders and an ASX were very good. The older and harder-worked ones carried some of the most serious findings in the dataset. Instant Auto Reach Case File Vehicle Odometer Result A1FA542C 2023 ASX 11,504 km Very good, but previous left-rear collision repair A2456D7C 2022 Outlander LS 48,695 km Very good, control arm rear bushes perished A299B620 2022 Outlander 91,770 km Very good, dealer serviced A2A155BA 2021 Outlander 94,341 km Very good, stored codes cleared and did not return A2777AD6 2021 Triton 108,021 km Very good A26F5DC9 2021 Triton 110,698 km Poor, critical engine blow-by A24294DD 2017 Lancer 100,478 km Fair, pulls left, front wheel bearing noise A28DF182 2013 Pajero 283,654 km Reasonable, oil leaks, engine bay recently washed A29B770F 2010 Pajero 241,885 km Cracked rear diff mount, intermittent EGR fault A21E9480 2007 Outlander 227,559 km Fair to good, roadworthy items needed A29E2C3C 2006 Lancer 197,333 km Fair, oil-contaminated coolant A29B2165 2003 Outlander 265,340 km Poor, signs of head gasket trouble A20D4D1F 2005 Fuso truck 352,497 km Poor, critical blow-by The two Tritons Same model. Same year. 2,677 km apart. One was rated very good with dealer service history. The other had white vapour and oil mist coming from the oil filler and oil filled well above maximum. We tell that story in two 2021 Tritons, two different cars. The lesson is not that Tritons are good or bad. It is that the individual vehicle is what you are buying. Cooling system warnings on older cars Two older cars had signs pointing at the head gasket: See low coolant explained. A scan tool sees what a test drive cannot On the 2010 Pajero, the scan showed an EGR fault. We tested the valve with the diagnostic tool and it worked some of the time and not others. The seller already had a replacement valve to fit. That is a fair outcome, and one the buyer could only reach by knowing. A nearly new car with a past The 2023 ASX had 11,504 km and service books. Paint depth testing showed the left rear guard had been repainted and the rear bumper replaced. No structural damage was found, and the car drove well. It is still something a buyer should know before agreeing a price. A washed engine bay The 2013 Pajero had oil contamination around the rocker cover and transmission pan, and an engine bay that had clearly been washed. See how we handle that in oil leaks on used cars. For a Triton or Pajero, book a ute and 4WD inspection. For anything else, a pre-purchase inspection. The wider numbers are in what 181 Melbourne inspections found. Book online or call 0402 220 178. Mobile across Greater Melbourne, 7 days.
30 Used European Cars Inspected – What We Found
European cars made up 30 of the 181 reports in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index. Of the 13 with severity-rated findings, 8 had at least one major fault. The faults were rarely dramatic. They were leaks, bushes and electronics, on cars where each of those costs more to fix. Make Reports Mercedes-Benz 15 Volkswagen 6 BMW 5 Audi 2 Porsche 1 Polestar 1 The median odometer was 115,979 km. Volkswagen – five Golfs and a Scirocco The Golfs showed how much one model can vary. BMW – watch the diesels Two X5 40d diesels, a 2010 and a 2011, both had heavy oil leaks at the rear of the engine. One also had excessive blow-by and the other had oil inside the intercooler pipes. A 2011 320d needed front control arm bushes and brake rotors. On the other side, a 2018 430i at 99,656 km was rated very good. Audi – the car with two write offs A 2018 Audi Q2 drove well and was rated good. The PPSR showed it had been written off twice. Read the Audi Q2 case file. Porsche and Polestar A 2015 Cayenne at 115,979 km had a rocker cover oil leak and low brakes, which the seller agreed to replace. A 2023 Polestar 2 tested at 94.5% battery State of Health with no fault codes. Mercedes Benz Half the European reports. Oil leaks, a recurring oil pump code and AMG brakes. We cover them in what 15 used Mercedes inspections found. Three rules for a used European car What a thorough inspection looks like A reviewer who booked us for a Volkswagen Tiguan wrote that our inspector spent more than two and a half hours on the car, explained everything clearly, and contacted other specialists for a second opinion when something needed it. Many European cars are bought sight unseen from interstate. Our interstate and remote inspection sends you photos, video and a phone call. For a car in Melbourne, book a European car inspection.
What 15 Used Mercedes Inspections Found
Used Mercedes Benz cars look like a lot of car for the money. Across 15 inspections in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index, the pattern was clear: 7 of 15 had an engine oil leak or low oil, and the same fault code appeared on two different 2016 models. The 15 at a glance Group Cars What we found C-Class (C200, C250, C43) 4 One clean, one harsh gear engagement, one oil leak with fault code, one AMG at minimum oil AMG performance (CLA45 x2, CLS63S, ML63) 4 Oil residue, low battery charge, heat-cracked brake discs, coolant leak SUVs (ML350, GLC250, G63) 3 Oil leak, leaking rear shock, one inspection stopped A180 and E250 2 Previous write-off history, heavy oil leak Sprinter vans 2 Both good or very good at over 287,000 km Pattern 1: oil leaks and oil level Seven cars had oil leaking, oil residue or a low level. They ranged from a 2013 E250 with an excessive leak to a 2021 C43 AMG at just 26,263 km with oil sitting on the minimum mark. Low oil on a nearly new performance car is a question about consumption or servicing. Ask it before you buy. More in oil level too high or low. Pattern 2 – fault code P06DA00 This code relates to the engine oil pump control circuit. We found it on a 2016 C-Class at 165,342 km and again on a 2016 GLC250 at 127,034 km. On the GLC we cleared it and it came straight back, so it was a live fault, not history. Neither car had a warning light on the dash. Only a scan showed it. Pattern 3 – AMG running costs show up in the brakes A 2015 CLS63S at 54,222 km drove very well and had no fault codes. Its brake discs had significant scoring and heat cracking. On a car like this, discs and pads are a large bill. We recommended a quote before purchase. Pattern 4 – paper history The good ones A 2019 C200 at 18,658 km was clean, tidy and recommended. Both Sprinter vans were in good or very good condition at 287,028 km and 291,175 km, which says a lot about what regular servicing does. If you are buying a van for work, see commercial vehicle inspection. One inspection we could not finish A 2025 G63 with 37 km had an unexplained coating on its underside, and the seller then refused diagnostic tools. Read the G63 inspection a seller stopped. What buyers said One reviewer needed a same-day inspection on an ML350 a long drive from Melbourne, after other providers quoted two to three days. We made it the same day. Another simply wrote: job very well done on the AMG. Book a European car inspection, or see the wider picture in 30 used European cars inspected.
Used Ford Ranger and Everest – 10 Inspections Compared
The Ranger and Everest share a platform, but in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index they were very different buys. The five Rangers had a median of 190,572 km and real mechanical findings. The five Everests had a median of 62,475 km and mostly small ones. The five Rangers Instant Auto Reach Case File Year Odometer Main findings A1A37BB7 2020 189,942 km Rough idle with air flow sensor code, transmission oil leak, signs of front-end repair A1A1E76F 2017 Wildtrak 190,572 km Hard gear shifting, multiple oil leaks, undisclosed repaint, leaking rear shock A1C6CD0D 2016 227,226 km Lower control arm bushes, loose CV boot, good for a work ute A18C0391 2015 155,565 km Oil leak at front of engine, tyres at 2 to 3 mm, lighting module faults A1032745 2009 243,621 km Oil residue, brakes due, otherwise a safe buy Four of five had an oil leak or oil residue. Two showed signs of earlier body repair the seller had not mentioned. The 2017 Wildtrak was rated poor, and our inspector called it a risky purchase unless every issue was assessed and fixed first. The oldest Ranger, at 243,621 km, was one of the better ones. Age was not the pattern. Use was. The five Everests Instant Auto Reach Case File Year Odometer Main findings A1C62187 2023 Platinum 21,669 km Oil leak between engine and transmission A299F12E 2023 Sport 57,679 km Coolant at low mark, parking camera fault code that returned A2BD784B 2023 62,475 km Discharged 12V battery, brief cold-start noise A2DE4B4C 2022 Sport 65,996 km 12V battery at 51% health, low-voltage fault codes A22A9EF8 2021 95,775 km Service logbook missing, minor cosmetics Three were rated very good and none had a critical finding. But notice the first row: an oil leak on a car with 21,669 km. Nearly new is not the same as fault free, and a car that young is usually still under manufacturer warranty, which is exactly when you want a fault documented. What the Everests had in common – weak 12V batteries Two of five had a discharged or tired 12V battery, and both threw fault codes because of it. On the 2022 Sport, a transfer case module code appeared alongside a low system voltage code. No mechanical 4WD fault was confirmed. Low voltage makes modern cars report problems they do not have, which is why we rescan after a road test. See stored vs current fault codes. What to check on either Buying for work Rangers are fleet staples. If you are adding several to a business, or buying ex-fleet stock, a fleet vehicle inspection puts each one on the same severity scale. For a single ute, book a ute and 4WD inspection. See how these compare across the whole dataset in what 181 Melbourne inspections found.
Used Toyota Corolla – What 8 Inspections Found
The Corolla is the safe choice, and the engines in our eight inspections mostly backed that up. The surprises were elsewhere. Three of eight showed previous body or structural repair, and one had finance still owing. Instant Auto Reach Case File Model Odometer Rating Main finding A2E687D4 2022 SX Hybrid sedan 51,960 km Good mechanically Finance owing, 976 micron paint reading A13394D2 2020 Ascent Sport Hybrid 94,416 km Very good Windscreen chip, one tyre worn A1EE4C03 2019 Touring Hybrid wagon 83,457 km Very good Front tyres, bushes showing wear A10F60F3 2014 Corolla 160,961 km Good to very good Nothing major A2D78056 2014 Ascent 180,991 km Poor Engine rattle at idle, oil leak A20101FD 2012 Levin ZR 145,228 km Good Front cross member damage A20ADB5C 2011 Corolla 125,887 km Fair Poor quality repair to rear chassis rail A18DA907 2010 Corolla 76,188 km Fair Rear brake pads very low The mechanical story is mostly good Seven of the eight had no significant engine or transmission concern. All three hybrids performed well mechanically. If you are looking at one, our hybrid car inspection reads the hybrid battery blocks directly. The body story is not Corollas are common first cars, city cars and rideshare cars. They get bumped. None of this showed in the ads. A paint depth gauge and a torch found all three. The paperwork story The 2022 hybrid also had a security interest registered to a finance company. Read the Corolla Hybrid case file and always run a PPSR check. The one we said no to The 2014 Ascent at 180,991 km had an engine rattle at idle, an oil leak from the top of the engine, cracked control arm bushes, low rear brakes and paintwork down one side. Our recommendation was do not proceed, high-risk purchase. Buying a Corolla as a first car Parents often ask us to check a first car. A reviewer who imported a Corolla hybrid wagon wrote that our inspector checked everything in great detail and was quick and professional. If the car also needs a roadworthy certificate, we can do both. Compare with other models in what 53 used Toyota inspections found or book a Toyota inspection.
Used Prado and LandCruiser – What 9 Inspections Found
Nine Toyota 4WD wagons in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index ranged from a 2023 LandCruiser 300 in very good condition to a 1998 Prado rated poor. The median odometer was 184,348 km. Age mattered less than where and how each one had been used. Instant Auto Reach Case File Vehicle Odometer Rating Main finding A24AAADB 2023 LandCruiser 300 VX 36,570 km Very good Rear tyre shoulder wear only A1ABCDCC 2018 Prado 184,348 km Good to very good Rear shock, rear seatbelt, wipers for roadworthy A1D8C3DB 2016 FJ Cruiser 84,031 km Very good Tyres at about 1.5 mm A1D13388 2015 FJ Cruiser 106,316 km Fair to good Cracked control arm bushes, diff lock not engaging A22ACFFD 2015 Prado 215,263 km Good Rear rotors and pads worn, cracked shock mount A2C0257F 2014 Prado VX 135,682 km Good to very good One litre low on oil, spare tyre unroadworthy A2491862 2006 Prado GXL 271,682 km Fair Widespread corrosion, signs of coastal use A1156353 2006 Prado 222,520 km Poor to fair Would not pass roadworthy without major work A1DEE363 1998 Prado 311,385 km Poor Rust in the cooling system, steering rack leak Three things these 4WDs taught us 1. Where it lived matters more than the year The 2006 Prado GXL had surface corrosion across the body, engine bay, coil springs and even the turbocharger housing. Our inspector read it as long exposure to salt water and heavy off-road use. Two 2006 Prados, two very different risks. 2. Test the 4WD system, not just the drive On the 2015 FJ Cruiser the rear differential lock did not engage. The repair could be minor or expensive, and you cannot tell which without diagnosis. That uncertainty is worth money in a negotiation. 3. Roadworthy items add up quietly On the 2018 Prado, nothing was wrong with the engine or gearbox. But a shock absorber, a seatbelt and wiper blades all stood between the buyer and a roadworthy certificate. Our guide on what fails a roadworthy in Victoria lists the usual ones. Buying one to tow The buyer of the 2006 Prado GXL planned long-distance towing. Our report flagged the tyres, which may have dated from 2018, and the rear brakes as things to fix first. Tell your inspector what you plan to do with the vehicle. It changes what matters. What a good one looks like The LandCruiser 300 had a full service history, two keys, a clear PPSR, no fault codes and a chassis in factory condition. That is the benchmark, and it is what lets you pay strong money without second-guessing. A reviewer who bought a diesel 4×4 through our Ultimate package said the stress and uncertainty were replaced with confidence, and that we handled the negotiation with the dealership on price and repairs. Book a ute and 4WD inspection or a Toyota inspection. More Toyota data is in what 53 used Toyota inspections found.
Used Toyota Hilux – What We Find
A used Hilux holds its price because buyers assume it is unbreakable. Across seven Hilux inspections in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index, most were good trucks. Two had a rear diff lock that would not engage, and one we advised the buyer not to proceed with. The seven Hiluxes Instant Auto Reach Case File Year Odometer Rating Main finding A2C1A922 2022 102,148 km Good to very good Oil around front differential solenoid A297D0ED 2021 156,267 km Drove well Rear shock lower bushes perished, heavy mud underneath A199B7F6 2020 103,808 km Good 11 stored fault codes, front rotors need machining A2DDA521 2019 164,390 km Good to very good Front tyres low, control arm bushes cracked A2EDF056 2018 113,981 km Good Rear diff lock not engaging, rear tyres worn to indicators A1C0DB68 2018 210,047 km Fair Low range and diff lock not engaging, rough idle A2CA560B 2011 271,809 km Good Recently washed engine, low coolant The median was 156,267 km. What to check on a used Hilux 4WD and diff lock This is the one a road test around the block will never show. On two of seven Hiluxes the rear differential lock failed to engage when tested, and on one of those low range would not engage either. Ask the seller to demonstrate both, or have us do it. Signs of hard work Mud packed underneath, rusted hose clamps, dust inside the air cleaner housing and a deep-clean interior all tell you how a ute was used. None of them are faults on their own. Together they tell you to look harder. A freshly washed engine bay On the 2011 Hilux, our inspector noted a strong degreaser smell and oil residue still visible at the rear of the engine. Cleaning can hide a leak for a few days. We flagged it for recheck after driving. Suspension bushes and tyres Cracked front lower control arm bushes and worn tyres appeared on three of seven. These are negotiation items. Read control arm bushes explained. The one we said no to The 2018 Hilux SR at 210,047 km had a rough idle with active fault codes, a knocking noise, low coolant and no working low range or diff lock. Our inspector’s view was that it had not been looked after. Full story in the Hilux SR case file. Buying a Hilux for work Most Hiluxes are bought to earn money. A week off the road costs more than the repair. A reviewer who bought a 4WD after a same-day inspection said our inspector went through every inch of the car. For one ute, book a ute and 4WD inspection. For several, see fleet vehicle inspection. See how Hilux compares with other Toyotas in what 53 used Toyota inspections found, or book a Toyota inspection. Book online or call 0402 220 178. Mobile across Greater Melbourne, 7 days.
What 53 Used Toyota Inspections Found
Toyota is the most inspected make in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index, at 53 of 181 reports. The badge has a strong reputation, and many of these cars earned it. But 22 of the 35 severity-rated Toyotas had at least one major or critical finding. The Toyotas we inspected The Median Toyota had 130,186 km on it, higher than the Index overall. Model group Reports Prado, LandCruiser and FJ Cruiser 9 Corolla 8 Hilux 7 HiAce and Commuter 5 Prius, Crown and other hybrids and imports 13 Yaris, Camry, RAV4, Kluger, 86, Supra 11 How did they rate? Of the 44 Toyotas with a stated overall condition: Rating Cars Very good or excellent 11 Good 19 Fair 10 Poor 4 That is 32% fair or poor, almost the same as the 30% across all makes. Toyotas were not worse than other cars. They were also not immune. The best The worst What goes wrong on used Toyotas The same things that go wrong on everything else, in roughly the same order: We go deeper in our model pages: Hilux, Prado and LandCruiser and Corolla. Why Toyotas get bought without inspection Because people trust them. That trust is exactly what a seller of a tired one relies on. One reviewer told us they inspected a few cars with us that turned out to be lemons before finding the right one. HiAce vans and Hiluxes are also popular with businesses. If you are buying more than one, a fleet vehicle inspection rates each on the same scale. Book a Toyota inspection in Melbourne or see the full numbers in what 181 Melbourne inspections found.
Is a Pre Purchase Inspection Worth It?
Short answer, on our numbers, yes. A pre purchase inspection starts at $348. In the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index, 55 of 100 inspected cars had at least one major or critical fault, and 30% of cars were rated fair or poor overall. The simple maths You are paying a few hundred dollars to check a purchase worth thousands. The inspection pays for itself in one of three ways. Outcome What happens How often we see it Walk You avoid a car with a critical fault 12 in 100 cars had a critical finding Negotiate You take repair costs off the price 43 in 100 had a major finding as their worst Buy with confidence You pay the asking price knowing it is fair 10 in 100 were clean, 35 had moderate items only What buyers say it was worth These are from our Google reviews, which sit at 5.0 from 55 reviews. That last buyer had called other inspection businesses. Most needed 48 hours notice. When it is most worth it When you might skip it Be honest with yourself here. If the car is nearly new, under manufacturer warranty, with full dealer history and a clean PPSR, the risk is lower. Even then, our Index includes a 2022 car with finance owing and a 2023 car with previous collision repair. What you get for the money Every inspection is also backed by our 100% money-back guarantee if the vehicle is sold to someone else. One reviewer summed up the difference: detailed written reports with photos, clear severity ratings on every issue, no sugar-coating and no agenda. The verdict Buy with evidence, not hope. See the data in what 181 Melbourne inspections found, check our used car inspection checklist if you want to look the car over first, then book a pre-purchase inspection. Book online or call 0402 220 178. Mobile across Greater Melbourne, 7 days.
12 Critical Faults We Found in Used Cars
In 100 severity rated inspections, 12 cars carried a finding our inspectors rated Critical. That is the top level of the Instant Auto Reach Severity Scale, used when a fault is unsafe, open ended in cost, or a legal risk to the buyer. Every car below was for sale in Melbourne. Several looked fine and drove normally. Instant Auto Reach Case File Car Odometer Critical finding A2D1B6F8 2017 Holden Calais 88,843 km Coolant leak, suspected head gasket A26F5DC9 2021 Mitsubishi Triton 110,698 km Excessive engine blow-by A21ABBEF 2012 Toyota RAV4 171,871 km Excessive blow-by, possible internal engine wear A20D4D1F 2005 Mitsubishi Fuso 352,497 km Excessive blow-by and very low oil with no leaks A200AE34 2017 Hino 300 68,143 km Suspected turbocharger or intake failure A22EDA88 Light truck Not recorded Suspected head gasket, oil in the cooling system A240E016 Lexus IS350 Not recorded Structural chassis damage, heavy transmission leak A2B9BD72 2008 Toyota Crown Athlete 80,343 km Engine stalling on the road test A22CE8A1 2008 Honda Civic 223,875 km Power steering pump leak and worn, pulsating brakes A1DEE363 1998 Toyota Prado 311,385 km Rust in the cooling system, steering and suspension wear A25B6320 1987 Holden Commodore 243,894 km Poor braking, multiple leaks, engine sludge A2E687D4 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid 51,960 km Finance still owing on the car Five patterns behind the 12 1. Engine wear you cannot see Three cars had excessive blow-by, where combustion gas pushes past worn piston rings and out the oil filler. It often means an engine rebuild or replacement. The Triton was only a 2021 model. See engine blow by explained. 2. Cooling system and head gasket signs The Calais had coolant residue around the cylinder head at under 90,000 km. The truck had oil in its coolant. Both point to repairs that can exceed the value of an older vehicle. Read the Calais case file. 3. Structural damage On the Lexus IS350, our inspector found chassis damage and stopped the inspection, because nothing else matters until the structure is assessed. Read the IS350 case file. 4. Safety systems that do not work A car that stalls when you lift off the accelerator, or takes too long to stop, is unsafe to drive home. 5. Legal and money risk The Corolla Hybrid was mechanically good. The critical finding was on paper: a finance company still held a security interest. Buy it without clearing that and the car can be repossessed from you. A PPSR check shows this, and our PPSR vs inspection guide explains why you need both. Note the trucks Three of the 12 were trucks. Work vehicles are bought on trust more than cars are, and repairs cost more. A commercial vehicle inspection is built for them. One hidden fault can cost more than the car A reviewer who bought a van after an inspection said it saved them from one with expensive faults and hidden crash damage. That is the job.
How Often Does a Pre Purchase Inspection Find a Major Fault?
More often than not. In 100 Instant Auto Reach reports rated on the Instant Auto Reach Severity Scale, 55 cars had at least one major or critical fault. Worst finding on the car Cars out of 100 Critical 12 Major 43 Moderate only 35 Nothing moderate or worse 10 What the severity levels mean How many findings does a typical report have? The 100 reports recorded 298 rated findings, about three per car. Severity Findings Moderate 116 Major 89 Minor 48 Monitor 20 Critical 18 The rest were positive or informational notes, such as a healthy EV battery result. Does a major fault mean walk away? No. Most major findings are fixable, and many are things the seller can repair before sale. A 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI in the Index had an active oil leak rated major, and the seller agreed to fix it before the sale completed. A major finding changes the deal in one of three ways: One reviewer described exactly this: the inspection was done before the dealership closed, an oil leak was found, and it gave them the upper hand in the negotiation. The 10 clean cars One in ten had nothing rated moderate or worse. They were mostly newer, low-kilometre cars with service history, a 2023 Lexus ES300h, a 2024 Mazda 3, a 2021 MG ZST, a 2023 Kia EV6. A clean report is still worth having. It is what lets you pay the asking price without wondering. Why a roadworthy does not cover this A roadworthy certificate checks minimum safety items on the day. It does not rate engine condition, scan for fault codes or check for oil leaks. We explain the difference in pre-purchase inspection vs roadworthy. You can book a roadworthy certificate together with an inspection. For businesses buying several vehicles A 55% major fault rate matters more when you are buying five utes, not one. A fleet vehicle inspection gives every vehicle the same severity rated report so you can compare them side by side.
High Kilometre Used Cars – What the Data Says
Is 200,000 km too many? Not always. But in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index, 48% of cars over 200,000 km were rated fair or poor, against 15% of cars under 100,000 km. Odometer Cars rated Fair or poor Under 100,000 km 61 9 (15%) 100,000 to 200,000 km 48 19 (40%) Over 200,000 km 21 10 (48%) The real jump is at 100,000 km The step from under 100,000 km to the next band is far bigger than the step after it. Between 100,000 and 200,000 km is where bushes perish, seals start to weep and deferred servicing shows. Buyers tend to relax in this band because the number still looks reasonable. High kilometres that passed Kilometres alone did not condemn a car. Some of the best reports in the Index came from very high readings: What these had in common was evidence of maintenance, not a low number. Low kilometres that failed The opposite also happened: What to check on a high kilometre car Work vehicles are a separate case Vans, trucks and campers in the Index had a median of 289,101 km. If you are buying one for a business, a commercial vehicle inspection covers the work use wear a car checklist misses, and a fleet vehicle inspection applies the same standard across several vehicles.